Homily 21 #

On Thursday of the second week of Lent, an instruction of a certain God-loving man to his spiritual brethren. Selected from the apostolic epistles.

The holy Apostle Peter says that “no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” But false prophets and false teachers deceive the foolish, for many cleave in heart to covetousness and the unclean gathering of riches, serving them as though they were God. Concerning this, the Lord says: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” And again: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” And it was said to the rich man: “Thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.” And again: “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?”

Concerning those who are deceived, who are sick with covetousness, and whose hearts are set upon perishing wealth, it is written: “These are wells without water,” and so forth. And the Apostle Paul says to Timothy: “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Therefore, my brethren, flee from this grievous affliction. For Paul says to Timothy: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” “Avoid profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called.”

So then, my brethren, do not contend against the truth, nor say, “Ask me not,” lest ye be found like unto him that carried but a little seawater in a pouch under his bosom and came unto one that had a ship full of the same. Have ye not heard the prophet Ezra, who says: “The Lord hath created wisdom, and He giveth it unto them that love Him”? And Solomon says: “Every one that is wise in the words of God is hated of fools, but is loved by the wise, according to the grace given him of God.”

John Chrysostom says: “Instruct ye one another, for it is God that giveth understanding unto whom He will.” And again he says: “Who feareth not the judge upon the judgment-seat? Or who, desiring instruction, doth provoke the teacher?” And the Apostle Paul says to Timothy: “The law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient.”

And he commands that such people be delivered unto Satan, that they may be chastised and learn not to blaspheme. But for us, let it be for salvation to receive instruction and not to speak against it. For those who do not submit to the Holy Church, like many heretics who read the Scriptures but have no understanding of what is good, perish. And again, Paul says to the Corinthians: “Brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” And thus, God grants His grace not to the covetous but to those who seek Him. For He Himself said: “Ask not amiss in your prayers,” that is, “Ask not for wealth.” And if ye ask wrongly, it shall not be given unto you. Yet many provoke God by asking for riches and such things, having no care for that which the Lord has spoken: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” For He Himself was clothed in poverty, and He chose His disciples from among the poor, not from the rich, saying unto them: “Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves,” and “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” And when He sent forth His disciples to preach, He said unto them: “Go not into the houses of the rich, but unto the poor, the meek, and those who hear My words.”

Thus, blessing such as these, He proclaims: “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” and not, “Blessed are the rich.” Hear how the Lord blesses the poor, calling them His brethren, as the Evangelist Matthew writes. But He does not call the rich His brethren, nor does He bless them as He does the poor. Yet He praises those who are rich in God, such as Job and others. But those who amass riches through usury, injustice, bribery, robbery, oppression by rulers, tavern profits, and all manner of wickedness, He condemns. As the Psalmist says: “A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.” For that wealth which men hide in the earth—gold and silver—shall be consumed by rust; their garments shall be eaten by moths; their food shall rot; their grain shall decay; and their wine shall turn sour. And because they do not distribute it to the poor and needy, they are worthy of condemnation and torment. Therefore, the Gospel commands us: “Take no thought for the morrow, what ye shall eat, or wherewithal ye shall be clothed.” But look upon the birds of the air, how they neither sow, nor spin, nor toil, yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them.

But unto the poor, if they refuse to labor, it is said: “Shall the thorn-bush bring forth grapes for you? Shall the nettle bear wheat? Shall spiders weave garments for you? Shall the wrens build temples for you?” And again, Paul says: “Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us—but not forever. And from this wealth ye shall pass into eternal poverty and everlasting torments.” But the poor shall inherit eternal riches, where there is joy and gladness, as it is written: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

Therefore, brethren, I beseech you, do not grieve when ye live in poverty and tribulation. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He may grant us the riches of His incorruptible glory, and send down upon us the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, and enlighten the eyes of our hearts to the knowledge and comprehension of what is the hope of our salvation, and what is the riches of His glory in the kingdom of heaven. And if we cannot understand something in the Scriptures, let us ask those who are spiritual and learned. It is good to ask God for knowledge and understanding, and above all, for the forgiveness of sins—but not for wealth, which withers like the flower of the grass, and whose glory vanishes.

Let us therefore ask for wisdom, as the Apostle James says, “in faith, nothing wavering.” For that which the human mind cannot comprehend, God will reveal invisibly if only we fulfill His holy will. As He says: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” And the will of God is this: that we bring forth the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, mercy, faith, meekness, and temperance. And David says: “Blessed are they that seek his testimonies,” not riches. “Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.” Therefore, he says, “I have loved thy testimonies above gold and silver, and above many precious stones.”

To our God be glory.